Saisha's POV

Every evening, as the door clicks open and Pranay steps inside, I find myself looking forward to this moment. He walks in, loosening his tie, his face holding the exhaustion of a long day. But the moment his eyes meet mine, his features soften.

I watch as Pranay rolls up his sleeves, helping me set the plates on the dining table. It's a small gesture, but every time he does it, something tightens in my chest.

Back in my house, my father and brother never once lifted a finger. After eating, they would leave the plates on the table, expecting my mother and me to clean up after them. Even if my mother was sick or tired, it was never their concern. That's just how things were. That's how I was raised to believe things should be.

But Pranay... he is different.

How did I get so lucky?

Even now, after a long day at work, he doesn't just sit and wait for me to serve him. He helps. He listens. He makes me feel like... like I matter.

"Dinner's ready," I say softly, placing the plates on the table.

He smiles, setting his bag aside. "Perfect. I was starving."

We sit across from each other, the warm aroma of freshly cooked food filling the space between us. He takes the first bite, closing his eyes for a moment before looking at me.

"This is amazing," he says, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "I'm really lucky to have this every day."

I freeze for a second, staring at him. Lucky? No one has ever said that to me before. No one has ever appreciated my cooking.

Back home, my mother and I always ate last. First, my father and brother would eat. If they were full, we would get whatever remained. I used to be so hungry some days, but by the time I sat down to eat, my hunger would disappear.

And on the worst days, my father would bring his friends over without informing my mother. She would serve them everything, and by the time we get to eat, there would be nothing left. I would sleep on an empty stomach, my stomach growling, but I never complained. Because that was how things were. That was how things were supposed to be.

But here, sitting across from Pranay, being the first one served, hearing him call himself lucky to eat what I've cooked - it feels strange. Like I've stepped into a world I don't belong to.

I shake my head, slightly embarrassed. "It's nothing big. Just simple food."

He leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. "Simple? Saisha, do you know how much I look forward to your cooking? The taste, the warmth... it feels like home."

His words catch me off guard. I glance down at my plate, a small smile tugging at my lips. It feels nice to be appreciated.

Pranay's POV

As we eat, I find myself wanting to know more about her - beyond what she does in the kitchen, beyond her soft-spoken nature.

"So," I ask casually, "what did you do today?"

She hesitates at first, then slowly starts telling me - about the book she started reading, the way she organized the shelves, how she tried making a new dish but wasn't sure if it turned out well. There's something peaceful about the way she speaks, like she's still learning to open up, still adjusting to the idea that someone wants to listen.

When she finishes, I smile. "I love that you're trying new things. And for the record, your cooking is always perfect."

She rolls her eyes playfully. "You're simply saying that."

I chuckle. "No, I mean it."

A comfortable silence settles between us before I ask, "Do you ever think about going to college?"

She blinks, caught off guard. "College?"

"Yeah. Do you have any aspirations? Anything you want to do for yourself?"

Her fingers tighten around her glass. She looks down, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I never really thought about it."

Something about the way she says it makes my chest ache.

She takes a deep breath. "All my life, I was just meant to do what I was told. I never dreamed of anything. It was because of you that I even stepped outside my village."

I watch her carefully, sensing the weight of her words. I reach out, placing my hand gently over hers. "You don't have to know right now. But if you ever find something you want to do, I'll be here. Supporting you."

She looks up at me, surprise flickering in her eyes, followed by something else - something like hope.

I squeeze her hand lightly. "Just promise me one thing."

"What?" she asks softly.

"Promise me that if you ever do dream of something... you won't be afraid to chase it."

She doesn't answer right away, but after a moment, she nods. "Okay."

And somehow, in that quiet moment, I know - one day, she will find her dreams. And when she does, I'll make sure she never has to chase them alone.

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